Migration and intensification of water conflicts in the Pangani Basin, Tanzania

Migration of population in search of better sources of water is a widespread phenomenon in Africa with a long-standing history. In the case of the Pangani River Basin in the North East of Tanzania, migration has led to intensive water conflicts caused by the convergence of pastoralists and farmers, traditional irrigation systems and large scale irrigation systems; and other uses including hydropower generation in the basin. The main determinants of these water conflicts in the basin include rapid population increase of both human beings and livestock. The rapid population dynamics of both livestock and human population as a result of natural increase and migration generate additional demands for water as do the irrigation systems, which allow little water downstream for other uses such as generation of power and land alienation, resulting in poor water rights management. Measures that have been taken to resolve some of these water conflicts including the improvement of irrigation systems so they do not waste water and application of environmental impact assessment techniques wherever new projects are introduced in the basin.